Tourism quick to get in on the act after Rings success

By SIMON HENDERY

New Zealand's Academy Awards success will strengthen this country's profile as a holiday destination, says Tourism New Zealand.

The Government-funded tourism marketing body has been quick to capitalise on New Zealand's exposure at this week's Oscars.

Yesterday it placed a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times showcasing New Zealand as the "best supporting country in a motion picture".

The advertisement, promoting New Zealand as the home of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will also appear in the New Yorker, Britain's Empire magazine, Today newspaper in Singapore and Australia's Who Weekly.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said New Zealanders' strong presence at the Oscars was invaluable in raising awareness of the country.

"Their outstanding success is both a wonderful achievement and a fantastic opportunity to further showcase New Zealand to a huge worldwide audience," Hickton said.

The US is New Zealand's second-biggest tourism market, behind Australia, and one of those hit most severely by the downturn in international travel after last September's terrorism attacks.

The 187,000 US travellers who visited New Zealand last year spent $768 million while in the country.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring won four Oscars at Monday's Academy Awards and Shrek, co-directed by Aucklander Andrew Adamson, was named best animated feature film.

Feature: Lord of the Rings

Special LOTR report: A long expected party

Best Lord of the Rings websites

Oscar nominees and winners (full list)

nzherald.co.nz/oscars